Firstly, a Merry Christmas to all.

Wildiaries has been writing to some of you since 2012 and we can hardly believe we're on our 60th edition.

Travel for all of us means something different but we mostly agree with the desire to visit quiet places and discover what's locally unique. We're delighted to have built a incredible network of specialists breaking travel 'agency' traditions and helping our guests reach places that are on the frontier. Despite living in an increasingly crowded world, there are plenty of well-developed destinations and incredible, affordable experiences, if you know who to ask. https://wildiaries-travel.com/      

In 2014 we first met Craig Haslam 'Hassie' (Xplore Eyre), a hard-working bloke from the Eyre Peninsula, who hosted us with Australian swimming legend Libby Trickett, for a long-weekend. So we're delighted to be revisiting Hassie's back yard this month ... an area affectionately termed 'Australia's Seafood Frontier'.

Just a 4-5 hour flight from Sydney to Melbourne, if you're into food, wine, epic landscapes, quiet beaches or (for the most adventurous) you want to go swimming with the local wildlife, Port Lincoln is worth at least a weekend break.

Xplore Eyre have given you chance to WIN an incredible $3,000 travel prize so head on over an enter. 

For all Wildiaries subscribers, there's an exclusive 12% off any trip with them to Eyre Peninsula and up to $100 to redeem in Wildiaries flight vouchers ... not to mention two National Geographic PONANT last minute special offers that snuck in at the last moment.   

To find out more, enter the competition or visit our website:  https://wildiaries-travel.com/   

Next month we're going to do a feature on Ghost Net Art, which is creating income for indigenous populations and giving them a way to voice their opinions about the impact of marine plastic on the oceans. If you don't know what it is, check out the incredible piece below to realise they some of these pieces are fetching high prices in galleries the world over.

Best wishes,  

Simon Mustoe
Founder, Wildiaries

To enquire about any of the latest deals or offers, or for advice on travelling

EMAIL TRAVEL@WILDIARIES.COM

CALL +61 (0)3 9014 9687

Xplore Eyre - Meet 'Hassie' 

Xplore Eyre Tours

Xplore Eyre offer tours from 1, 3, 5 and 9 days; catering for private and small groups, both scheduled departures and tailor-made.

PLUS you get 12% off if you use the WILDIARIES code on booking (valid up until 31 March 2019).

Trips include:

• Flinders Ranges
• Kangaroo Island
• Nullabor (including 9-day accommodated trips from Adelaide to Perth and back)
• Port Lincoln/Eyre Peninsula
• Food & wine, adventure and wildlife 

Libby Trickett Swims on the Eyre Peninsula

From an early age, Olympic Swimmer Libby Trickett trained for 35 hours a day, 52 weeks a year. In 2008, she became the fastest woman on Earth over 100m.

Libby met Michael Jeh when she was 19 and thanks him for her success outside sport. "I never had any confidence at that age, and thought I'd be lucky to make it through my degree," she says ...

ANCIENT CULTURES OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA & PAPUA - WITH NAT GEO

Cruise 1. Ancient Cultures Of Northern Australia & Papua - With Nat Geo 

11 days, December 2019

Deluxe Balcony Cabin  $7,130.00          $5,771.00*  

In partnership with National Geographic Expeditions. Embark with PONANT aboard Le Lapérouse for an 11-day tropical expedition to discover the traditional cultures of Northern Australia and Papua.

During this all new voyage you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with Indigenous people living in remote communities and learn about their customs, traditions, spirituality and art. From Darwin, the capital of the ‘Top End’ of Australia, you will sail to the Tiwi Islands, home of the Saltwater Tiwi People, renowned for their wooden carvings-particularly of birds which have a special place in Tiwi mythology.

Your ship will then continue to sail along the coast of the Northern Territory to reach Elcho Island and Yirrkala. The Yirrkala community is home to several renowned Aboriginal artists recognised for their spectacular traditional bark paintings and whose work can be found in art galleries around the world. It is also the traditional home of the Yidaki (didgeridoo) with some of the world’s finest didgeridoos being made here. Further north into Western New Guinea you will come face-to-face with the legendary Asmat tribes. Here you will learn about their lives and customs in a traditional and authentic village setting.

https://smallshipcruising.com.au/cruise/ancient-cultures-of-northern-australia-papua-with-nat-geo 

FALKLANDS, SOUTH GEORGIA & ANTARCTICA - WITH NAT GEO

Cruise 2. Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica - With Nat Geo 

16 days, November 2019

Superior Ocean Cabin   $17,610.00        $15,431.00*  

Deluxe Balcony Cabin   $18,860.00        $16,538.00*  

PONANT brings you a 16-day itinerary between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. An exceptional polar expedition cruise to discover the most beautiful sites of these southern lands. You will set sail from the fascinating city of Ushuaia, which the Argentinians call El fin del mundo (the end of the world).

First, you will chart a course for the Falkland Islands, whose wild beauty and lush moors are sure to captivate you, before heading to South Georgia, its impressive glaciers and its black-sand beaches where large colonies of king penguins have taken up residence. You will then circumnavigate South Georgia, a real highlight of your cruise.

Most notably, you will discover the island’s mysterious and wild West coast, and you could get the chance to disembark in the place where the British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton landed before beginning his great trek across the island. You will finally sail to the White Continent, realm of the unexpected. Weather and ice conditions permitting, this extreme environment where nature reigns supreme will reveal to you its most beautiful secrets through numerous discoveries.

Gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins, humpback whales, seals and seabirds: these are some of the encounters you will most likely have the chance to experience in the Antarctic Peninsula, creating indelible memories. Each day, whether on land, aboard your ship or during a Zodiac® outing, you will be surrounded by a grandiose decor ranging from icebergs to ice floe and ancient glaciers. Please note: your voyage rates include

Flight Buenos Aires / Ushuaia + visit or time at leisure + transfers + flight Ushuaia / Buenos Aires

https://smallshipcruising.com.au/cruise/falklands-south-georgia-antarctica-with-nat-geo 

*Terms and conditions

Deposits must be paid on or before 1 JAN 2019. Price is subject to cabin type and availability. Please enquire for details. 

To enquire about any of the latest deals or offers, or for advice on travelling

EMAIL TRAVEL@WILDIARIES.COM

CALL +61 (0)3 9014 9687